So... it's been four months since I updated this story, and for that I apologize. TBH the Tamayo thing was forgettable despite how important she becomes later on, so I completely blanked out on what to write for a solid few months until I took up the keyboard again. Anyway, I just wanted to get this out there because this story is not dead(yet).
Walking was one of Tanjiro's, and Percy's, favorite pastimes. It was peaceful, you could spend quite a bit of time on it, and it never got boring. Also, Percy was singing the whole time.
And I know, I know, Percy sang, as Tanjiro listened, interested in the music from another world. Your eyes on me and I won't, I won't take the time you need, so whittle down your expectations, your future's on the way, he continued, as Tanjiro remembered the background of this song. Apparently, it was a fan song, made about a show called "Attack on Titan" and some character named "Eren Yeager", but Percy had basically adopted it as his own personal song. Some guy named Rustage had released it, and Tanjiro was admittedly impressed by the speed at which both Percy and the original singer sang. There were a lot of different times Percy had gone superspeed while on the mic, the most prominent of which being the final verse of the song "Godzilla" by someone named Em and Em. Now that, that was fast.
Hey, is that Zenitsu? Percy asked, causing Tanjiro's attention to snap back to reality, looking forward.
"Where?" he yelled, looking around. Both dead and alive had to admit, the boy was quite endearing.
He's gone, crying because he can't be with you. He's always crying, running away from his missions. He's also killed a single demon, but he was unconscious the whole time. I think you made him dependent on you, Percy said. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if he loved you romantically.
"Says the guy who couldn't realize four people were crushing on him for five years," Tanjiro cut him off again, causing Percy to let out a squawk of indignation as water began to fall from the sky. None of it wet Tanjiro or his clothes, because of his subconscious influence over it, making it curve around him and the box on his back.
Alright, fine. Do you want to stop for now? Maybe we can let Nezuko out until we have to continue, Percy suggested, Tanjiro nodding along.
Yeah, that seems reasonable, Tanjiro responded, now speaking mentally because he remembered how to do it. It was hard, ok? You try only speaking to someone using your thoughts.
A small cave along the side of the road was only a couple hundred meters away, and Tanjiro jogged towards it, chatting amiably with Percy all the while. Once he had entered the cave and ensured that no water would touch them, he opened the door to the box, allowing Nezuko to crawl out.
"Hey Nezuko," he said, sitting back as she crawled towards him. Ending up in his lap, she curled up in his embrace, not closing her eyes but clearly displaying an intention to sleep. Tanjiro chuckled and nodded, moving his hand rhythmically atop her head, brushing through her hair and giving a sense of comfort and familiarity that reminded both of their home when they still lived there. Letting his hand idly stroke her to sleep, Tanjiro leaned his head back against the wall and decided that he would catch up on some rest as well.
Demigod dreams were always weird.
This was a fact that both Tanjiro and Percy knew very well. But, it didn't stop some strange occurrences from happening.
Tanjiro's dream was set in a place he did not know. It was a town, much like the village his family lived close to, but there was a distinct feel that separated it from his. Everything seemed much quieter than it should have been.
"Have you heard about Yennefer's daughter? She disappeared only days ago!" one woman said, passing by him while talking with another.
"She shouldn't have given so many people copies of her key, then," the other woman stated. "Almost like she wants someone to barge in and kidnap her."
"I wouldn't be surprised if that was the case," said a voice from next to him, and Tanjiro turned to see who it was.
"Percy!" he exclaimed. "What do you mean by that?"
"People are into some weird stuff, Tanjiro," Percy said, looking around. "I'll tell you later, but we're here for a reason. Our dreams don't overlap often, it means something important is happening here."
"Alright," Tanjiro stated, looking around. "Where do we start?"
"There," Percy said, pointing behind Tanjiro where a weird black mass was crawling around the walls. "It's probably a demon, nothing else could do that."
"Ten days of silence it's the demon we're hunting," Tanjiro said, placing the bet as the two went forward.
"That's a sucker's bet," Percy snorted, but shrugged. "Make it two and you've got a deal," he said, humoring the younger boy, before noticing the black mass increasing the speed it was traveling at.
"Hey Tanjiro?" Percy asked, causing the boy to look at him. "Try to keep up."
"Wha-" Tanjiro started, but by that time Percy was already running, using his surroundings to his advantage in order to gain the high ground. "Oh it is so on," he said, before rushing forward, not using Total Concentration Breathing but still keeping up due to the extensive physical training they shared.
Eventually, the black sludge took a sharp right and entered a building, causing Tanjiro to pause, while Percy laughed.
"Come on man, we're essentially ghosts right now," he said, before walking through the wall. Tanjiro looked at where he once was before following him, running into the wall and somehow hitting his head on something before he entered.
"I hit something," Tanjiro said, rubbing his head, while Percy was already walking in one direction.
"Yeah, that was my fist," Percy said, causing Tanjiro to sputter before following.
"You're insufferable, you know that?" Tanjiro said, and Percy nodded.
"Yup."
"Incorrigible."
"100%"
"Idiotic."
"Glad we're in agreement."
"Stop agreeing with what I say!" Tanjiro exclaimed, crossing his arms.
"We're here. Let's observe," Percy said, a complete juxtaposition from his attitude seconds prior. True to his words, they had arrived. The black sludge was peeking above the bed of a woman, about fifteen years of age. Tanjiro looked surprised, while Percy had a look of resignation on his face. "Always the young girls," he sighed, before walking forward, Tanjiro following him.
In front of their eyes, a hand came out from the black sludge, gray in color and cracked along some parts. Following the hand was the rest of the arm, similar in looks, and then the demon came out. The two weren't able to look at the face before it lunged forward and took a large bite out of the girl's neck, before stepping back once it knew the human was dead.
The neck was essentially now a large canyon. The demon's teeth had managed to pierce the bone, leaving only a bowl shaped remnant of bright red flesh with some blood pooling in the center, gravity not letting it fall out, leaving no trace should the demon vanish with the body. A menacing laugh was heard before the demon grabbed the body of the young girl and disappeared into the black sludge once more as the dream faded.
Demon we're after? Tanjiro asked Percy, once more on the trail. They were on pace to get there before nightfall, something quite good because that was when the demon was active.
Demon we're after, that was, Percy responded, talking like Yoda for some asinine reason. Find it, we must. Kill it, we shall.
Can you stop that? Tanjiro desperately asked, speeding up to a jog in order to make the journey shorter.
Walk, you should. Conserve your energy, you must. Time schedule, the demons operate. Attack at night they will. Wait for night, we must, Percy said, talking nonsense again, but at least it was comprehensible this time.
Alright, Tanjiro said, slowing down once more.
Three hours later
How much farther? Tanjiro asked, starting to tire slightly. They had been traveling for five hours that day, and Tanjiro hadn't had much to eat since he left. He had enough money, though there was nothing to buy on the way there, so he kept going, ignoring his body's signs of protest.
Alright, fine, give me a second, Percy said, before water started to coalesce in front of them, taking shape before solidifying. It was nothing too special, just something that looked like a motorcycle, though with none of the functionality. Tanjiro hopped on what he assumed to be the seat, and the motorcycle started to move, wheels turning below him. Tanjiro added a backrest and leaned back, crossing his arms behind his head.
Wow, what is this? He asked, moving his arm down to touch one of the wheels.
NO TOUCHING THE MOVING PARTS! Percy shouted at him, causing Tanjiro to jerk his arm back. But this is a motorcycle, and I am manually turning the wheels. I could alternatively just do a slip and slide but that takes more energy than just maintaining this because that requires combatting friction.
Huh, nice, Tanjiro said, not understanding much of what was said but appreciating how easy it was to move. Softly moving Nezuko's box to be in his lap instead of on his back, Tanjiro took some time to admire the surroundings, watching the landscape drive by as he rushed forward at speeds equivalent to the running of the best demon slayers, but without using any of the energy.
It only took thirty minutes before they arrived at the town. By this time, the beginnings of dusk were starting to show, a reddish sky providing a backdrop for the small village inhabited with night terrors. Tanjiro dismounted his bike, melting it with ease, and turning the water into a second layer of armor beneath the first just in case. Rule number one of monster hunting: lightweight but good armor is best. You always want to protect yourself if your opponent can harm you.
Walking forward, Tanjiro noted how the streets seemed barren, even before darkness had fallen. Tanjiro heard sniffling nearby and walked towards it, intent on getting as much information as possible before fighting. The man was wearing yellow and black, leaning on the side of the house, and the sight of his face estimated his age at around eighteen years.
"What do you want?" he asked through the tears, wiping his face with his shirt.
"I'm the inspector designated to figure out and stop the kidnappings going on here," Tanjiro replied, the response coming off smoothly. "If you could provide any information as to what was going on when these incidents happened, it would be greatly appreciated."
"The kidnapping of my fiancee was not an incident!" the man yelled, raising his hand to hit Tanjiro, but stopping right after he held it up. Sighing, the man deflated, all the fight leaving him as he collapsed against the house wall once more. "We were just walking, and she disappeared from right beside me. I looked away for a single second, and then she was just gone."
"Trust me, I will find your fiancee," Tanjiro said, smiling because he had a scent. The very same black sludge he had seen in his dream was moving, much slower in real time compared to the time lapse they experienced, making it easier to keep up. "What I need you to do is follow me," he said, starting to walk, as the boy did so, wondering where this was going. Tanjiro calmly walked up to where he knew someone was hiding, before unsheathing his sword and stabbing downwards into the ground, satisfied when he heard a hiss of pain.
The demon rose from the ground, gray skin cracking and matted black hair behind his head. Two horns were visible, and piercing red eyes glared at him as he exited a black portal. Chattering in some unknown language, Tanjiro watched as the demon grew the arm he chopped off back, bone and then muscle growing, finishing with the signature gray flesh of a demon atop it all.
Tanjiro took a deep breath and rushed forward, making a swift slice that the demon just barely avoided, doing so by jumping out of the hole and losing a leg instead of a head. The demon fell onto the ground, and before it could react, Tanjiro took a downwards slice, decapitating it easily. The demon faded into dust, blackening and dissipating, before a scream of rage echoed through the alley they stood in and something erupted from the wall behind Tanjiro.
Another demon, nearly identical to the first, only with two extra horns, lunged forward, intending to take Tanjiro down in one hit by surprise. Time slowed down as Tanjiro dodged out of the way, the demon missing and rolling to a stop before falling down into the black sludge once more. Realizing what he had to do, Tanjiro set down Nezuko's box and patted the lid, before jumping into the black sludge just before it fully disappeared.
Tanjiro felt the familiar sensation of water striking his limbs as he fell into what looked like a swamp, murky green water surrounding him. The demon with four horns rushed at him, smiling because Tanjiro had taken the bait. Tanjiro easily sliced through the reckless charge, cutting the demon in half twice, once vertically and once horizontally. The demon disintegrated after that, just as Tanjiro felt two more demons enter the swamp. Staying in place, Tanjiro let them come to him, pretending to be unconscious as they swam straight towards him. They examined him for a second at a distance, before rushing forward, swimming into the trap Tanjiro had set. As soon as they were a certain radius away, the water around them stopped them from moving, leaving them easy pickings for Tanjiro to decapitate, swiftly doing so and exiting the swamp through the black sludge that remained.
Any more demons? Tanjiro asked Percy, who hesitated for a second before responding, checking the entire town for anomalies in the blood.
Nope, the only demon in this town is our sister, Percy responded, smiling at the younger boy. Your first true demon kill, congrats!
Wouldn't this make it four? Tanjiro asked, not counting the many he destroyed in the final selection.
Nope, this was one demon split into four, Percy stated. Also, you should talk to him.
"What the fuck was that?" the man asked, finally regaining the ability to speak. "What the fuck did you just do? What was that thing that you just fought? Where'd you go? What happened?" he continued, trying to verbally express all the confusion he felt in one go. Tanjiro silenced him with a finger upon his lips, causing the twenty year old to look at the younger boy.
"Don't worry, that was my job," Tanjiro calmly said, backing away and picking up Nezuko's box as if it explained everything. "Stay safe and inform someone if things like this happen again." And with those parting words, he vanished.
Tanjiro's next stop took him to a modern city. Lights so bright it hurt his eyes and people so plentiful he could get crushed in the crowd, Tanjiro held Nezuko's hand quite tightly as they wormed their way through the crowd.
They had been sent here to investigate the deaths of four people for unexplained causes, and were going to hang around until they figured out what was causing it. Nezuko was stuck to his side, not wanting to get lost in the crowd, her soft and slender hands a far cry from his worn and well defined ones.
The two managed to escape to the outskirts near an udon stand, where Tanjiro ordered one for himself while Nezuko decided that she wanted to take a midnight nap. With her head in his lap and a bowl of steaming hot noodles in his hands, Tanjiro relaxed for the first time that night.
Until a sudden shock caused him to drop the bowl of udon as it shattered on the floor, as Tanjiro stood up, ignoring the angry comments of the stall manager and his sister waking up. He could focus on nothing more than the virulent, diseased scent that he had only found once before, on his dead family. The stench was so overpowering that it overruled his thought, and Tanjiro rushed to the point of origin without a thought, leaving Nezuko behind. Tanjiro leaped onto a building and used it to easily move, getting to where he saw one man standing out from the rest.
Despite all the good weather and the fact that it wasn't sunny out, there was still one man wearing a black hat, which was too long for it to be normal. Tanjiro jumped down into the crowd and walked forward. Finally catching a glimpse of the man's face, Tanjiro fell back once he committed it to memory. Readying a hand on his sword, Tanjiro was about to charge forward when his body wouldn't react to his commands.
Stay your hand, Tanjiro. We can't attack him here, Percy told him, releasing his control over the younger's body.
What? Why? Tanjiro exclaimed, walking forward but also obeying.
One, it could harm the people around us. Two, he's got people to cover for him, and we'll look like the bad guys, Percy said, focusing Tanjiro's vision in front of him. Did you notice he has a daughter?
A daughter? Tanjiro asked, before gasping at what he saw. True to Percy's words, a little girl, no older than four or five, peek her head out from behind his shoulder, looking sleepy and nuzzling into the crook of his neck. Kibutsuji Muzan, as he was called, had what seemed to be a caring look on his face, before whispering something to someone nearby. A woman came to take the child from him, and Tanjiro was once more stupefied as they exchanged words and a smile, before she walked away. Almost immediately, Muzan sobered up and turned around to look at something in the crowd. He frowned, and lifted a hand up, before dragging it across the neck of someone who just passed by. A single drop of his blood fell into the man, who collapsed, writhing in pain on the floor.
The crowd parted around the man as people let out panicked screams, as Muzan disappeared, going to tell his lackeys to hunt down the demon slayer following him. Meanwhile, Tanjiro rushed forward, going to where the man was struggling on the floor, clutching at his neck and letting out screams of pain. His pupils dilated, but his eyes widened. His tongue became elongated and forked, as his skin turned an ashen gray. Tanjiro had no choice but to hold him down, even as people came to remove him from the scene. Fighting back with all he had, Tanjiro was about to be overwhelmed when a sweet scent came over him, causing him to not want to fight.
It was an overpowering temptation, so tantalizing in front of him, but it was just temptation and temptation could be ignored. So, Tanjiro settled for knocking out the man in his arms, who was now more demon than man, and raised his sword, preparing for a fight.
Two people walked towards him, their very presence ignored by those around them as they continued moving towards Tanjiro.
"Why do you still refer to him as a man?" the woman asked, gesturing towards the demon.
"Because he was just seconds ago. If only I had been faster, he still would be," Tanjiro responded, lowering his sword slightly. "Why? Who are you?"
"You dare be so insolent towards Lady Tamayo!" the boy growled, stepping forward but stopping when she held up a hand.
"Silence, Yushiro," the woman said, revealing both of their names. "Anyway, I ask you to come with us. There is much to discuss."
"Alright, let me just grab Nezuko and-" Tanjiro started, before realizing what he had done. "Nezuko!" he yelled, rushing off to grab her as Tamayo giggled and Yushiro grumbled about wasting his lady's precious time.
"Again, I'm so sorry Nezuko!" Tanjiro said, lowering his head in apology once more. Percy had sent an ice body out to get her and the box, so they were able to get back in no time, but the young demon had plenty of thoughts about being left alone.
"Hmph!" she said, slapping Tanjiro upside the head with barely any force, but he got the message. "Hmm," she stated, crossing her arms and pouting.
"I apologize once more!" Tanjiro bowed, before turning to Tamayo and Yushiro. "Anyway, so what is it you wanted to talk about?" he asked, tilting his head questioningly.
"There is much to discuss, and many more prying ears nearby. It would be best if we took caution with these discussions," Tamayo stated, before turning inquisitively towards him. "Why did you treat that man back at the marketplace as a human? He was a demon, was he not?"
"Because, like I said, he was only just transformed. Muzan Kibutsuji just went up and scratched him, making the mutation in the middle of the street," Tanjiro explained. "He was driven by nothing but animalistic instinct and rage, meaning I cannot classify him as a demon. However, I find myself unable to call him a human as well, due to his now lacking sense of logic."
"An acceptable answer," the female demon acquiesced. "But one that brings up issues in its own right. Anyway, I would like to introduce myself, as I realize that I have forgotten to do so in the mayhem following the incident."
"Yushiro," the boy stiffly stated, his body going rigid as he said the word before he turned away from the human.
"My name is Tamayo, and while we may be demons, I am also a doctor," Tamayo stated, bowing slightly to Tanjiro. "I ask that you wait to pass judgment for I fit the qualities for which you quantify a human. It is a pleasure to meet you."
"Tanjiro Kamado," Tanjiro introduced, bowing to Tamayo as she did for him. "Member of the demon slayer corps, rank Mizunoto."
"A Mizunoto?" Tamayo inquired. "You display a strength far greater than many of the higher ranked demon slayers I have met with before, but then again, I suppose that is another issue for another time." While the demoness knowing the ranking system of the demon slayer corps should have been worrying, Tanjiro couldn't find it within himself to care as he was presented with another problem.
She's not hostile, yet not friendly, Tanjiro told Percy.
I observed the same behavior in Prometheus that one time, he answered back. We'll talk later, introduce your sister.
"A-ah," Tanjiro realized, gesturing for his sister to step forward, which she did. "This is Nezuko Kamado, my little sister. It is with open hearts that we greet you and thank you for your hospitality," he said, bowing again. Yushiro scoffed at the gesture while Tamayo giggled, hiding her mouth behind the sleeve of her kimono.
"Now that that's settled, why don't we take this to a more private location?" Tamayo suggested.
"That would be preferable," Tanjiro agreed.
Good, Percy instructed. Do business as fast as you can. Something feels off here.
As in about her? Tanjiro wondered. She's been honest with almost everything so far, pure scent. I'd be able to tell if she was lying by the trepidation that occurs.
Not about her, but rather that the group will be attacked, Percy forewarned. I'm getting a bad feeling, but it isn't from them. I can only conclude that hostile forces will engage at some point in the future.
I'll keep that in mind, Tanjiro frowned, looking around. Anyone nearby?
Nothing but humans as far as I can tell, Percy reported. I'll let you know when they're close.
How close is close? Tanjiro wondered.
50 meters, Percy responded. Any further than that and it gets very iffy.
"I assume that you didn't wish to speak with me solely out of the goodness of your heart," Tamayo broke the silence. "What made you come with me instead of attacking?"
"You bore no ill intent towards me or anyone else there," Tanjiro truthfully spoke. "I could tell that you weren't going to harm anyone, so I wasn't going to harm you. So far, it seems that such a decision has paid off. Though, how much that is, is still subject to change."
"A worrying observation," Tamayo frowned. "But, you did get one thing wrong. I do wish to harm someone there, for all the injustice he has brought onto this world."
"You're talking about Muzan Kibutsuji, aren't you?" Tanjiro wondered. The body he was carrying, the man turned into a demon, was starting to stir, so he gave a small glance at it before returning his focus to the street.
"Don't cut Lady Tamayo off you insolent-" Yushiro growled, stepping towards the siblings, but stopped when Tamayo held up a hand.
"Yushiro, desist," Tamayo ordered, glaring lightly at the demon boy. "But yes, you are correct," she told Tanjiro. "Muzan Kibutsuji. My hatred for him rises my anger like nothing else. Being in the same city as the man ruins my mood in more ways than one."
"Not only has he wronged you in the past, but he also actively hunts you down?" Tanjiro guessed, Tamayo giving a surprised nod as he nailed the problem.
"Exactly," she admitted, as they arrived at the end of the street. A black brick wall blocked any further movement unless they wanted to scale the walls, something that was a very real possibility. "In fact, I'm afraid that he has noticed my presence. Perhaps it is time to move, though I would like to remain here for a short while longer. After all, staying in one place for ninety years does make you develop an attachment to it."
"Ninety years?" Tanjiro questioned. "Just how-" Tanjiro was prevented from saying more by Percy forcibly taking control of his body.
"Just how many places have you been in that long a time?" Percy continued. "You must have seen quite a lot."
"Not very much, I'm afraid," Tamayo giggled, knowing what he was going to stay. "In fact, I have been in my lab for a while, trying to reverse the demonification process. Work like that stops you from doing a lot of stuff," she lamented, unaware of the effect it had on the sole human.
Wait, am I a human? Tanjiro wondered, thinking about how fusing with a demigod altered his body. Nevermind, not important. Percy, is she lying?
As far as I'm aware, no, Percy replied, and Tanjiro could feel his concentration from somewhere within his mind. But then again, demons work differently than humans. I hope they're the same.
"Tamayo, forgive me for asking this of you, but would you mind telling a quick lie for me?" Tanjiro inquired, bowing slightly.
"I suppose it wouldn't do much harm," she agreed, confused. "Though I don't see what for. Anyway, a lie… oh! I am a human," she stated, and Percy smiled.
Yep, a quicker heart rate and slightly increased breathing, Percy supplied. She isn't lying. She truly is trying to reverse the demonification process.
"Wow," Tanjiro breathed, looking down quickly before looking up. "Anyway, why have we stopped here?"
"We haven't," Tamayo giggled, walking forward with Yushiro as they went through the brick wall, leaving a slight ripple behind as they moved through it. Nezuko made to follow, but couldn't escape Tanjiro's iron grip, frozen in place from seeing them walk through a wall.
"Wha-" he noted, before walking forward, barely touching the wall before his head hit something, though that something broke as he walked forward, Tanjiro barely registering the pain. Nezuko followed, much like a dog on a leash, content with staying with Tanjiro and letting him guide her as they walked through.
A large house sat behind the front yard, Tamayo disappearing inside as Yushiro held the door for them, an angry scowl on his face. Seeing them, Tanjiro continued walking forward, rushing slightly to avoid annoying Yushiro any more than what would make him angry.
"Please set him down there," Tamayo instructed inside, pointing to a bed in the main room. Tanjiro did as he was told, lowering the man as Nezuko took her place on one of the mats, sitting down. Tanjiro sat next to her as they waited for Tamayo to continue, Nezuko leaning into her brother's side until she fell sideways, head landing in Tanjiro's lap. The sudden movement didn't startle him as the boy merely let it happen, his hand moving to rest atop her head before he started to stroke. Moments later, Tamayo and Yushiro joined them.
"You seem comfortable," Tamayo noted. "Any particular reason why?"
"I am in the house of an ally," Tanjiro responded, making Tamayo stiffen. "I see no reason not to be."
"You consider us allies?" Tamayo inquired.
"I do," Tanjiro affirmed. "We have a common goal: to prevent additional demons from coming into this world, and to kill Muzan Kibutsuji. Considering a common interest and no conflicting goals, I see no reason for us not to be allies."
"Very well," Tamayo agreed. "I look forward to working with-"
A loud crash disrupted the flow of conversation, a temari ball flying through the wall and bouncing off the next one, returning to the hand of the owner. All of the occupants of the room were protected by ice shields, though it didn't prevent part of the outside wall from falling over.
"Shit!" Tanjiro cursed as he stood up, drawing his nichirin blade and holding it in ready position. A loud laugh echoed throughout the house, demented and high pitched. The smoke cleared to reveal two forms outside, one female and one male, walking closer as they stepped onto the grounds Tamayo called her own. Gritting his teeth, Tanjiro took a deep breath as he launched himself forward, water coalescing around black steel. Charging, he met the call of the demon with one of his own, ice blades rocketing forwards faster than he could as seven swords were aimed at the intruders. Seeing the charging figure so far away, the female one cackled even louder and let out her declaration.
"Little demons, come out and play!"
Kinda short, but who cares. Anyway, yell at me for not updating, I'll see how soon I can put up a new chapter.